Gemotions

The pool water, normally his sanctuary, felt like a stagnant swamp. Michael, a butterfly specialist, found himself being moved to the backstroke. His coach gave a speech, "It's all for the team!" His body tensed at the idea of changing his form, his technique.

The cool water was suddenly icy, a constant reminder of his disappointment. The rhythmic strokes felt foreign, a mockery of his refined technique. He felt like he was moving underwater, struggling through a thick, invisible substance. The sound of the other swimmers' splashing felt aggressive, an assault on his senses. His usual pre-race focus evaporated.